Last Dutch Effort to Keep Weed for Tourists

Coffee shop owners in the Netherlands took to the courts to oppose a measure that would make weed purchasing a “locals only” thing. The law, passed last year but not yet enacted, would require coffee shops that sell weed to issue membership cards to Dutch residents only. Each shop would also be limited to 2,000 members. Dutch lawyer Ilonka Kamans, in defense of coffee shops selling weed, told the AP that Dutch drug laws give citizens “the fundamental right to the stimulant of their choosing.” Great point, even though weed is still technically considered a depressant. The law goes into effect on May 1 in the southern region of the country and whether Amsterdam will enforce the policy or not is still undetermined. Photo: (Ben Sutherland/flickr)

“While many psychoactive drugs clearly fall into the category of either stimulant, depressant, or hallucinogen, cannabis exhibits a mix of all properties, perhaps leaning the most towards hallucinogenic or psychedelic properties, though with other effects quite pronounced as well.” – Wikipedia entry for Cannabis (drug)

I’m confused by Kamans argument. Firstly, cannabis (as well as other drugs such as LSD, heroin, etc.) are illegal in the Netherlands. There is no recognised “fundamental right” to use whatever desired stimulants (although I agree there ought to be such a right in a free society). Secondly, he is referring to Dutch citizens, so how does that apply to non-citizens? This argument doesn’t seem to apply in the case of this law.